Improvement in boots and shoes



' UNITED STATES JEREMIAH L. NEWTON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 50,487, dated October 17, 1865.

l To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J EREMIAH L. NEWTON, of Boston, in the county ot' Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new Improvement in Boots or Shoes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of thisspecilication, of which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section ofthe boot or shoe, showing the lacingstripor support. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section ofthe same, showingl the strips, lacings, Ste.

The letter A represents the boot; b, strips of hide or untanned skin; c, the eyelet-hole; d, the lacing.

I will explain my invention in4 order that others may understand and make the same.

The accompanying drawings represent a section and diierent views of myinvention, which di'ers from' the ordinary boot or shoe in this: The supports or strips of' the common boot or shoe through which the laciugs pass are usually made ofthe same kind of leather of which the boot or shoe itseltl is made, or of patentleather; and in order to prevent the lacing from cutting, detacin g, or tearing through the strip, tin or metalic eyelets are usually fastened in; and experience shows that this precaution oftcn fails when the leather or cloth is rotten, and when the eyelet-hole tears out the boot is ruined.

In myinvention I take untanned skin-goatskin, deer-skin, calf-skin, or cow-skin, or any untanned skin that will answer the purpose designed. I shape the strips b in the ordinary way, as seen in the above tgures, except I crimp the skin when moist or wetiuto the form seen in Figs. 1 and 2, so that it operates as a nishing as well as support used in the ordinary boot, though I may use a single strip,

stitched to the inside or outside, alone, or on.

both sides. I stitch the strip as seen in Fig. 3, and, instead of using the tin or metallic eyelet, I simply punch or inake the holes for the lacings. The skin is s0 strong and tough that it needs no metallic eyelet to prevent the lacing tearing or cutting through the strip. The skill also being stii or rigid, keeps the boot-leg in shape far better than ordinary leather stiips. These strips may also be dyed any color, or japanned in the mannerof patent-leather, and may be made in various forms.

To prevent stretching or yielding when wet, I dip the strips in shillac or some water-proof liquid, if necessary. My invention is simple, combines cheapness, durability, and beautyin form, and is much more economical than the ordinary strip in boots and shoes.

What I claim as niy invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A boot or shoe the lacing-strips or supports ot' which are made of untanned hide or skin, as and for the purposeI above set t'orth.

JEREMIAH L. NEWTON. Witnesses:

B. F. BROWN, E. R. BRAKE. 

